First pistol advice

Aeroguy

Aeroguy

CGN Regular
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Location
Halton, Ontario
Hi all,

Ok, I know, yet another "what should I get" post. However, in this case I have narrowed it down to a couple of different choices.

First off, I am going for my range safety in a few months at my new club, although I don't have a ton of experience, I have been shooting a fair number of different pistols over the past few years at various rental places like silverdale, urban tactical, vegas etc. so I have a good idea as to the type of pistol I want. Something I can use for general target practice and eventually get into competition (IDPA).

Firstly, and sorry to offend some of the fanboys, but I hate glocks. They simply don't fit my hand properly at all. Not a fan of striker fired and polymer pistols in general actually.
So the choices I've narrowed it down to are

1. Sig P226 - 9mm
2. CZ Shadow 2 - 9mm
3. Sphinx SDP - 9mm
4. A decent 1911 - 9mm

I've shot each of these and they all felt and shoot great for me. Just having a hard time narrowing it down to one.

Pros and cons for each for a first time buyer?

Thanks in advance!
 
Aeroguy said:
Hi all,

Ok, I know, yet another "what should I get" post. However, in this case I have narrowed it down to a couple of different choices.

First off, I am going for my range safety in a few months at my new club, although I don't have a ton of experience, I have been shooting a fair number of different pistols over the past few years at various rental places like silverdale, urban tactical, vegas etc. so I have a good idea as to the type of pistol I want. Something I can use for general target practice and eventually get into competition (IDPA).

Firstly, and sorry to offend some of the fanboys, but I hate glocks. They simply don't fit my hand properly at all. Not a fan of striker fired and polymer pistols in general actually.
So the choices I've narrowed it down to are

1. Sig P226 - 9mm
2. CZ Shadow 2 - 9mm
3. Sphinx SDP - 9mm
4. A decent 1911 - 9mm

I've shot each of these and they all felt and shoot great for me. Just having a hard time narrowing it down to one.

Pros and cons for each for a first time buyer?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Glocks are over rated. They are only popular due to really smart marketing. Police and military agencies only take the glock because glock is the lowest bidder. The lowest bidder often wins when you are buying thousands of things to issue.

Now the rest is just my opinion

1. Sig 226. Sig makes good stuff but I think DA/SA triggers suck. The high bore axis makes the gun seem huge and depending who you ask makes a difference in muzzle flip. I can't figure out if a high bore axis makes the gun rise more on recoil or if its even enough to matter

2. CZ shadow 2. CZ just makes awesome guns. I have shot the shadow 1 and its just amazing in every way and I hear the 2 is better. I always say just because its popular does not mean its good but in this case it is that good.

3. Sphinx. I never even consider them because they just cost too much. I am sure their quality is unreal though

4. 1911. they are awesome but they are an outdated design. The 1911 has cool factor going for it and a single action trigger. The shadow 2 is better.
 
Shadow..either gen..from your list...I’m a huge 1911 fanboy..owned lots and loved them all...but my shadow has never been up for sale..it’s a lifetime keeper..and does everything so well..I agree signs are a great product..had three..but also agree the high bore axis makes them feel big and clunky.(jmho)never held a sphinx..and also agree they are probably very well made...for comp though..would prefer something with a world class reputation...finally...Glock...it took me a long time to try one..and that changed everything..striker fan too...are they pretty..no..are they great shooters..oh yes..and are they ruthlessley reliable..you could bet your life on it..many do..
 
The Shadow 2 is too heavy to be IDPA legal. The original Shadow will make the weight limit, though.
 
Well if you are interested in shooting IDPA the first three responses should be ignored. The Shadow2 is a 48oz brick designed for IPSC Production Division. It is to heavy to play in IDPA by rule ie max weight is 43oz for pistols for (SSP & ESP), two largest pistol divisions and the one you are likely thinking about playing in with a 9MM pistol.

The regular CZ Shadow works just fine in IDPA as does most of the other 75/SP-01 Series of pistols CZ makes. The CZ DA/SA guns play in SSP and ESP and the 45ACP version plays in CDP.

If you are out to enjoy yourself in the shooting sports and want to participate in competitions for the fun it will provide you than the Sig 226 will do that for you. You don't see a lot of the 226's in IDPA but the guys who shoot them have fun playing the game just as much as anyone else. You don't often see them in the hands of top shooters but then you may not have any ambitions to compete at that level anyway. The 226 plays in SSP and ESP Divisions.

Any decent 1911 in 9MM with a reputation of reliability will work in IDPA ESP Division. The STI Trojan when it sold for $1,100CDN was a good pistol to look at. It now sells for $1,800 or more and is over priced IMHO. You will spend a buck or two to get a decent 1911 these days for a design that now is not the choice of the top shooters in ESP anymore. BUT if you are playing for the fun and enjoyment and want to shoot a 1911 9MM by all means go for it. You will have just as much fun as anyone else will and you will be shooting what you want.

There are other designs to look at. If you don't like striker fired and I am not a fan of them either for a first pistol, you might want to look at the Beretta 92FS and its many iterations. The 92's have a reputation for reliability and accuracy. They are not for you if you have small hands as the gun has a large grip similar to the SIG 226. If you like the SIG than you may like the 92FS as well. The Wilson Combat versions will run you around $2K with the stock 92FS can be had on the EE virtually new for around $750.

The Sphinx is on your list. I have never seen one at any matches I have attended but I am sure there are guys who do use them in IDPA. I doubt the Sphinx will do much more for you than a regular Shadow/92FS/75Series or SIG 226. It is a very nice gun with a price tag to match. It will work in IDPA SSP and ESP Divisions. Check the weight of the pistol. The gun with a mag cannot exceed 43 ounces Depending on the model Wikepedia lists a max weight of 1250 grams which is >44ozs.

For what it is worth I should add striker fired pistols dominate IDPA for those who are in it for the competition. The Glock 34 and M&P Pro have been the winning combinations in ESP, and SSP for the last several years. Recently we have seen the SIG 320 and the Walther PPQ series enter the race for the top. In addition IDPA players in the US have discovered the CZ line and you see more Shadows in play than we used to. The newer 320 and PPQ out of the box have better triggers than either the Glock or M&P Pro. You can improve both of the latter two with after market parts. It really comes down to personal preference.

Pistol truism: It is the archer not the arrow.

Hope that helps.

Take Care

Bob
 
Something else to consider. Don't be afraid to buy a quality used pistol. Your first pistol will never be your last.

The goal of a first pistol is not to be the perfect gun that will leave you never needing another. It just ain't going to happen.

The EE is filled with bargains from people who impulse bought or over bought guns that were the ones they wanted and not the ones they needed.

Your first gun is to get you in the game as quick as possible. The less you pay for it, the longer you will own it.

The more appropriate it is for the shooting you will do regularly, the better. All your choices (especially 1 and 2) are good choices. Don't over think it.
 
rayzorloo said:
It is except if you are going to shoot IDPA..it is not legal because it is a couple ounces too heavy.
Click to expand...

Just under five ounces to be precise. IDPA really does favour the polymer guns with light triggers. For the really competitive shooter they do provide a slight advantage being lighter in weight and with a fixed light crisp trigger pull. At the club level it doesn't really matter and the OP may not be interested in chasing Bob Vogel anyway. Of the guns on his list the 226 is probably his best buy. They are excellent guns, good examples can be found on the EE at reasonable prices and they are dead nuts reliable...and he like s them.

Take Care

Bob

Take Care

Bob
 
Aeroguy said:
Hi all,

Ok, I know, yet another "what should I get" post. However, in this case I have narrowed it down to a couple of different choices.

First off, I am going for my range safety in a few months at my new club, although I don't have a ton of experience, I have been shooting a fair number of different pistols over the past few years at various rental places like silverdale, urban tactical, vegas etc. so I have a good idea as to the type of pistol I want. Something I can use for general target practice and eventually get into competition (IDPA).

Firstly, and sorry to offend some of the fanboys, but I hate glocks. They simply don't fit my hand properly at all. Not a fan of striker fired and polymer pistols in general actually.
So the choices I've narrowed it down to are

1. Sig P226 - 9mm
2. CZ Shadow 2 - 9mm
3. Sphinx SDP - 9mm
4. A decent 1911 - 9mm

I've shot each of these and they all felt and shoot great for me. Just having a hard time narrowing it down to one.

Pros and cons for each for a first time buyer?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Have you considered shooting ipsc instead? In Ontario there are way more ipsc than idpa matches.
 
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